FASoS Student Ambassadors Talk 2025-2026

Zeynep Ertanoglu, BA Digital Society

My name is Zeynep Ertanoglu, and I’m a second-year student in the Digital Society (DS) programme. I’m originally from Turkey but grew up in Cyprus, which has given me an international perspective from early on. Before starting DS, I studied International Business at SBE for a year, but soon realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. What drew me to DS was its unique blend of creativity and technology, a combination that feels like the true language of Gen Z.

What I enjoy most about the programme is the variety: from politics to AI, and from digital culture to the history of technology, DS connects so many different perspectives. Right now, in my third semester, I’m learning how to use R Studio, a coding language that helps me make sense of statistical data. Alongside my studies, I’ve also started learning Dutch, as I think it’s important to integrate into the culture of where I live.

So far, my favourite courses have been Introduction to Digital Technologies II (IDT) and Digital Cultures. In IDT, I gained hands-on experience through a collaborative project where we recorded a podcast on technological innovations. Digital Cultures gave me valuable insight into how digital technologies shape everyday life—often in ways we barely notice.

Beyond academics, I find Maastricht to be the perfect city for student life. Thanks to the university’s international profile, I’ve built friendships with people from all over the world. In my free time, I love exploring the shops around Vrijthof, having picnics in the green spaces of Tapijn, or catching up with friends in the city’s many cosy cafés.

Noemi Meloni, MSc European Studies (Research)

With Period two almost over, we can proudly say that we have gone through ¼ of this amazing experience! Time is really flying by, so it is important to reflect on what we have faced together and what’s to come next. 

The first two periods have been a new, intense, challenging, yet inspiring opportunity to explore this new chapter of our lives. Period one has perhaps been the most emotionally charged so far. Meeting the teaching staff, but, most importantly, our fellow students from our cohort has been such a thrilling experience. Different personalities, academic backgrounds (ranging from sociology to political economics to philosophy), nationalities and interests, we have had to face the first challenges together. 

This might actually be my favourite part about the programme: how close-knit the group is. This, I found, is crucial for approaching research. Although we faced period one together, from October onwards we have been split among our different specializations, and focused more on our researches, which are often quite different from one another. Yet, I cannot stress enough how incredibly useful and fundamental it has been to be able to count on my classmates. Whether it was to share a laugh, or to complain about the weather, or to support each other in our different projects, sharing it all with a group of such inspired, talented, and brilliant people has really motivated me to go beyond what I thought were my limits. After all, as they say “if you’re the smartest in the room, you’re in the wrong room”. 

I am now finishing up working on my research paper for period two, which has been quite a ride, but from which I have learned immensely. Most importantly, although my focus is in EU external relations, and I use qualitative methods, there has not been a time in which I have not benefited from the help of my classmates, no matter how different their content or methodological specialization is. 

In terms of activities, I must say that the integrated workshop has been my favourite experience so far. We have had to present our research projects to our classmates and professors. As always, we were treated as actual researchers in training, and our perspectives were treated as if they came from a faculty’s researcher. This, I believe, is one of the biggest strengths of the program. The professors walk alongside you, giving you the possibility to do research with freedom, within the scope of the courses, while guiding you in every step of the way. 

Next period, we will get to start exploring our ideas for the Master’s thesis by writing and presenting our research proposals. Us from the qualitative group will also get trained on how to perform and analyse interviews! 

Noemi Meloni, MSc European Studies (Research)

I can hardly believe it myself, but here we are: the final period of the first year! What a rollercoaster these past months have been. This second semester, in particular, has given us a lot of food for thought.

We started exploring ideas for our thesis—which we’ll develop fully in the second year—and began to get familiar with research designs. For us qualitative folks, that meant diving into advanced interviewing and even conducting our very first interviews! It was equal parts scary and exciting.

Period 4 then offered one last chance to engage with our content specialisations as groups. Personally, the course on EU relations with the U.S., China, Russia, and the MENA region has been my absolute favourite of the year. Learning directly from world-leading experts on the EU’s external relations has been such a cool, interactive, and eye-opening experience—especially for those of us interested in international relations and global order.

On the methods side, my group focused on qualitative content analysis and the many tools it offers. I genuinely loved this course as well and will definitely apply what I learned to my thesis work.

Now, we’re facing our final challenge of the year: period 5, with its pilot project and extended thesis proposal. To be honest, this semester hasn’t been particularly generous to me in terms of energy—I can feel the weight of this intense academic year. But I can also feel the growth. I am no longer the same Noemi who started this journey back in period 1.

And that, to me, is the most meaningful accomplishment: knowing that RMES is actively shaping me into the kind of person—and researcher—I aspire to be. There’s still a long road ahead, but I feel more prepared than ever to walk it.

What I’m most excited about, beyond successfully getting through period 5, is Year 2! I’ve chosen the exchange specialisation, so I’ll be spending the fall semester in Tokyo, Japan! I’m still in disbelief that this incredible opportunity is really happening.

Of course, it’s a bit bittersweet. Our cohort will be splitting up—many are heading to Cologne for the double-degree track. But I’m so proud of each and every one of us. Even if we’ll soon be living in different cities, this is just the beginning of becoming the best versions of ourselves. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for us!

May 2025